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Benfica v Club Brugge preview: Hosts in control of tie

Benfica's Portuguese defender Antonio Silva (C) arrives with teammates for a training session
Benfica's Portuguese defender Antonio Silva (C) arrives with teammates for a training sessionAFP
Since a 2-0 victory in the first leg of this UEFA Champions League (UCL) last 16 tie, Primeira Liga leaders Benfica have won three successive league games by a two-goal margin so confidence should be sky-high as they aim for a second straight UCL quarter-final appearance.

In fact, they haven’t lost a UCL game since that quarter-final home leg against Liverpool last April (W9, D3) and know extending that record with as little as a draw would see them advance.

Only PSG held Benfica to a draw at home during that run (W4) and not since May have they lost a competitive home fixture (W16, D2), which highlights the size of the task awaiting Club Brugge.

The Eagles will be hoping to fly high once more as they’ve never lost a European home game to Belgian opponents (W8, D2), winning the last four of those fixtures ‘to nil’ as their safe passage to the last-eight looks to be a formality.

The task facing Brugge is mountainous enough without them heading to Portugal struggling for form, as a run of one win in their last six fixtures (D3, L2) leaves them fourth in Belgium’s First Division.

The form of Benfica and Club Brugge heading into the match
The form of Benfica and Club Brugge heading into the matchFlashscore

Even more worrying is a lack of goals as they haven’t scored more than twice in one game – which they must do here to win without needing penalties – since October 29th!

If there’s a crumb of comfort to be had for the reigning Belgian champions, heading to Portugal should bring back good memories after their 4-0 away win against Porto in September.

Although their recent form and goal-shy nature suggests a repeat is unlikely, they have little choice but to go for broke and attempt something similar if they’re to win a post-group stage European knockout tie for the first time since 2014/15.

Players to watch: Gonçalo Ramos could put the tie to bed for Benfica as he’s scored in three of their last four home games, three times after the hour-mark.

Meanwhile, both of Hans Vanaken’s last two strikes for Brugge served as the second goal of the game.

Hot stat: Benfica have won 20 out of 21 previous European ties in which they won the first leg away from home (L1).

Follow Benfica v Club Brugge with Flashscore

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